Lysergic acid diethylamide, also known as LSD or acid, is the most common hallucinogen in the market. This drug is synthetically made in laboratories and is classified under the Schedule 1 Substance Controlled Substance Act. This means that LSD is among the drugs that have a high potential for abuse. Therefore, in most countries, the use of this drug is illegal.

Unfortunately, however, this illicit drug has found its way into the homes and lives of countless individuals. Many people find themselves suddenly addicted to LSD, without a true understanding of this drug’s effects on their lives. But fortunately, for those who suffer from this substance use disorder, LSD addiction treatment is available.

Many individuals find themselves struggling with substance use without really understanding how it happened. Sometimes, people begin using drugs like LSD for the sake of experimentation. In other cases, peer pressure leads to substance use. After multiple and continuous use of these substances, individuals often develop drug dependence or addiction.

Acid is known as a “club drug.” Essentially, this means people often use it at parties, raves, clubs, and other gatherings where drug use typically happens. In many cases, the people who use LSD are young adults seeking a “trip” or a “high.”

Some people use this drug for its energizing effects. So, LSD has actually worked its way into the corporate world, with businessmen and businesswomen seeking this drug’s help. Often, these cases of LSD use include small doses of the drug. As a result, working professionals might experience an increase in performance and energy at work without experiencing a “trip.” However, even these small doses of acid can lead to dependence.

Regardless of why a person uses LSD, it’s important to end this drug use as soon as possible. Doing so can help people to avoid the physical, psychological, and emotional effects that come with substance dependence, abuse, and addiction.

After ingesting or inhaling LSD, users experience what is termed as a “trip.” A trip is characterized by euphoria, hallucinations, and intense fear or feelings of being invisible. Other associated effects of using acid include tremors, delusions, and the following effects:

• Dry mouth
• Synesthesia
• Dilated pupils
• Loss of appetite
• A feeling of being invisible
• Alienation and dissociation
• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Depression and panic attacks
• Chills and goosebumps
• Sensory enhancements
• Excessive sweating
• Intense flashbacks
• Body dysmorphia

LSD use can also lead to extreme alterations in body temperature. Some people who use this drug may also feel anxiety and they may worry about impending doom or danger. Abusing acid can also cause people to have an impaired perception of time, distance, and space. They may also experience an impaired perception of color, size, and shape of objects.

Is LSD Addictive?

The question running through everyone’s mind is, is LSD addictive? The answer is no. LSD is not addictive nor does it cause a compulsive use disorder due to the intense experience and the frequency of bad trips. However, acid is known to cause the rapid development of tolerance over a short period. This means that it would take larger amounts to elicit the same euphoric feeling.

Again, LSD is not physically addictive. However, over time and with chronic use, it may lead to the development of a psychological addiction due to its effect on the brain’s neurotransmitters. Signs that someone may be psychologically addicted to LSD may include the following:

• Developed tolerance
• Persistent impulse to indulge in LSD use
• Engaging in risky behaviors, especially when under the influence of LSD
• Continued use even after the abuser knows that acid use interferes with their family, work, and social life

LSD shows cross-tolerance with a variety of drugs like alcohol, narcotics, and other psychedelics. The effects of these drugs synchronize to elicit an overly excited or depressed state.

Cases of LSD overdose are not exactly common because it requires large amounts of this drug to cause a fatal dose. From a medical standpoint, acid is among the most nonlethal drugs. However, LSD is known to induce psychosis, depression, and suicidal thoughts. LSD-related deaths are typically due to adverse actions because of an induced high and accidental deaths.

However, when combined with other drugs, LSD may potentiate the effects of these other drugs. For instance, if you concurrently take LSD with anti-depression medication, it may lead to a medical crisis known as “serotonin syndrome.” On the other hand, concurrent consumption of LSD with alcohol or narcotics like heroin may induce a state of depressive coma. The comatose patient may take weeks or even months to recover from such an episode.

Bad Trips

Although LSD causes a state of euphoria in some people, in others, it may cause paranoia, anxiety, extreme panic, and fears in others. The adverse effect of LSD is often termed as a “bad trip.” This is attributed to the fact that acid is illegally made in under-equipped laboratories by unqualified personnel. Often you may find that the LSD produced in such labs is contaminated with other chemical substances that elicit a psychedelic reaction.

LSD or acid is commonly known as ‘mellow yellow’, ‘yellow sunshine’, ‘blotter’, or ‘windowpane’. It the most common abused drug among minors and is considered a club drug. It is often sought out for its “out of body experience” or “trip.”

Recent studies also revealed that the young population uses acid in smaller doses, a phenomenon that is known as micro-dosing. They abuse LSD to get the extra push or punch of energy due to the competitive work environment and mood enhancements. The most common long-term effects of LSD use are:

• Flashbacks: Acid flashbacks are intense re-occurrence of an LSD trip weeks, months, or years after LSD use. Acid-induced flashbacks are the most common long-term effect of LSD.
• Insomnia: Insomnia is another long-term effect of LSD. This problem occurs due to persistent worry and anxiety of impending danger, especially among chronic users.
• Depression And Psychosis: Depression and psychosis are common long-term effects of LSD use. For individuals prone to psychosis or depression, LSD use may tip the scale to induce these two mental disorders.

Psilocybin – Psilocybin is a substance found in high concentrations in certain types of mushrooms. It is commonly known as the magic mushroom or shrooms. Traditionally, psilocybin was used in religious rituals to speak to the ancestors or spirits.

Phencyclidine – Phencyclidine, famously known as PCP, is a potent hallucinogen. It’s available as a powder, tablet, or capsule. It is orally ingested or is formulated by dissolving in liquid for intravenous administration or inhaled. PCP users present with social detachment, rapid eye movement, slurred speech, and erratic behavior.

Unlike LSD, consumption of high doses of PCP may induce seizures, comas, or even death. However, like acid, long-term use of PCP causes flashback episodes.

Other examples of hallucinogens include:

• Gamma hydroxybutyrate
• Mescaline or peyote (another type of psychedelic mushroom)
• Bath salts

If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of LSD abuse, know that there is hope for recovery and freedom.